Winter 2012: Finding the best de-icer

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)-As the weather turns colder, de-icer is more important for homeowners with slick driveways and sidewalks.

Earlier this month, Chief Meteorologist George Lessens teamed up with Chris Boden from the Geek Group to try out five products available to homeowners, including pool salt rocks, rock salt, Traction Melt, Action Melt and Meijer Pet Friendly Ice Melt. Each de-icer was sprinkled on a separate bed of ice cubs. After 23 minutes, the team reviewed the results.

Pool salt rock only melted the ice it came into direct contact with. Rock salt attacked the ice, burning holes into the cubes. Both Traction Melt and Action Melt had the same chemical makeup and similar results, creating an ice slush. The pet friendly salt, which is made up of magnesium chloride, also burned holes into the ice cubes. However, our team chose the rock salt because it was the cheaper option. The only catch: rock salt only works down to a certain temperature, about 5 degrees to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.